HUGS
I remember during my first summer back home, MeiQi mentioned that I got more "physical"–willing to hug and hold someone’s hand more–than she remembered me to be. Yes, I guess Japan has changed me a lot in this area. Being away from home, in the land where people don’t really express themselves much, it is really difficult to get a hug from anyone when you needed one most. Thus I have learned to give in my experiences of such need.
A hug always makes things better. You feel welcomed, accepted, loved.
It is not necessarily a culture thingy from the more open cultures of the West, but there is something to the human touch as observed by psychologists. Hey, I would not refuse a hug, and if I do, I deserved to be slapped. (You have the permission to do so.) It is the simple thing that I can do for you, for anyone… with an open and loving heart.
So, as how I greet my loved ones here and how much I know my high school boys love it when we exchange the peace of Christ in church during Sundays, I wish to greet you with a hug when we meet.
Hugs to you. d—(*^_^*)—b
